Arugula and squash salad with maple Dijon dressing is the perfect autumn salad. As the markets fill up with various beautiful varieties of squash, I often get asked about how to create recipes incorporating squash. Roasted delicata squash brings a nice texture and warm, rich flavor to this salad. This healthy and hearty salad recipe is really accented with the flavors of fall with a drizzle of zippy maple Dijon vinaigrette. With Thanksgiving approaching, this would be an excellent Thanksgiving recipe to serve as a starter for your meal (if you’re looking for more Thanksgiving Menu ideas, click here).

Arugula Squash Salad with Maple Dijon Ingredients

• 2 medium delicata squash: ends cut off to lay flat and peeled with a knife. Spoon out seeds. Cut into 1/2 inch half moons.

• 1/4 cup candied nuts, I used honey roasted cashews but anything will work, walnuts, pecans, etc.

• 1 cup arugula, washed and spun

• 3 Tablespoons maple syrup + 1 Tablespoon for roasting squash

• 1 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard

• 2 Tablespoons sherry vinegar

• 1/3 cup avocado oil for the dressing + 1 Tablespoon for roasting squash

• 1/2 teaspoon (more to taste if needed) kosher salt for dressing + 1/2 teaspoon for roasting squash

• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

• a pinch of cayenne pepper

Arugula + Squash Salad with Maple Dijon Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375 f

• line a baking sheet with aluminum foil

• In a medium mixing bowl toss squash slices, cayenne pepper, salt, maple syrup, and oil

• lay one flat layer of squash onto baking sheet

• roast squash for 15 to 20 minutes (until tender)

• allow squash to cool

• in a small mixing bowl combine vinegar, salt, pepper, maple syrup and dijon mustard. Whisk. Slowly drizzle in oil while whisking to create an emulsified vinaigrette or combine all ingredients at once and use a hand blender

• on serving plate, place squash (add salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste). Place as many arugula leaves down as you prefer. With a spoon drizzle vinaigrette over the squash and greens. Crush candied nuts with your hand or the flat side of a knife and garnish salad

• Serve and Enjoy!